The addition of 502,000 domestic subscribers gives Nextel 9.2 million subscribers overall in the United States. More importantly, it keeps Nextel on target to meet its goal of adding 2 million subscribers in 2002.

Analysts had said that goal might be too optimistic in a generally stagnant market for wireless phones.

The company's international subsidiary, NII Holdings, did not fare as well. The international subscriber base dropped 0.6 percent, to 1.19 million. In addition, the parent company decided against providing $250 million in financing to its international unit.

NII Holdings carries about $2.7 billion in debt, none of which is attributable to the parent company. The company had planned to spin off the unit last year with an initial public offering, but decided against it because of the poor market for telecom stocks. The company has warned that the international unit may have to seek bankruptcy protection.

Nextel's shares were up 43 cents in early trading Wednesday on the Nasdaq Stock Market at $6.38 each.